I. ˈgər]th, ˈgə̄], ˈgəi]; ]t, usu ]d.+V\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English girth, gerth, from Old Norse gjörth, gerth belt; akin to Middle Dutch gerde belt, Gothic gairda belt, Old English gyrdan to gird, encircle — more at gird
1. : a band or strap that encircles the body of a horse or other animal to fasten a saddle, pack, blanket, or other article upon its back — see harness illustration
2.
a. : a measure round the body of something : circumference
the girth of a tree trunk
the girth of a ship
especially : the measure round a human body (as at the waist or belly)
for the man of more than average girth — Agnes M. Miall
b. : size , dimensions
the river was twice its usual girth
when one looks at the girth of standard works — Times Literary Supplement
3. : a horizontal longitudinal brace ; especially : such a brace in square-set mine timbering
4. : either of two thongs of leather or bands of webbing attached to the rounce of a hand printing press to move the carriage back and forth
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English girthen to gird, encircle, from gerth, girth, n.
transitive verb
1. : to extend around : encircle
2. : to bind or fasten with a girth : put a girth on
3. : to measure the girth of ; specifically : to determine the approximate weight of (an animal) by measuring the girth with a tape that converts linear measure to normal or average weight
intransitive verb
: to measure in girth